Singletary fired after 49ers eliminated from playoff contention

[Forkboy]

The San Francisco 49ers announced late Sunday night they have fired coach Mike Singletary after 2 1/2 seasons at the helm.

Singletary was informed of the decision shortly after the team returned from St. Louis, where the 49ers (5-10) were eliminated from NFC West contention after losing 25-17 to the Rams. Owner Jed York confirmed the coaching change hours after addressing reporters on the mater in post-game interviews.

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"I want to thank Mike Singletary for the passion and effort that he brought to this organization," York said in a statement. "He is a tremendous person for whom I will always have great respect."

Defensive line coach Jim Tomsula will serve as interim coach in the season finale at home against the Arizona Cardinals. A news conference is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d81d3cf1a/article/singletary-fired-after-49ers-eliminated-from-playoff-contention?module=breaking_news

[AsahinaKimi]

1. Its been since 2002 since the 49ers made the playoffs

I thought Mike Singletary would be the guy to take us back to the playoffs, but like most of York's decisions, the team has fallen flat. I LOVED this team with a passion, however, since management chose to move the 49ers out of the city, I am vastly disappointed. My family had season tickets with them for years, but I recently gave them up when I heard the team was moving South.


I remember when Ronnie Lott went to the Raiders. I am tempted, as a fan to follow him to Oakland.

[Upton]

4. Oh geez

the 49ers just agreed on a lease extension on Candlestick through 2014. After that, they will have an option on a series of one year extensions until 2023. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if the deal in Santa Clara eventually falls through anyway.

You want to become a Raiders fan..fine. There's a nice bridge waiting for you.

[Jack Rabbit]

2. Well, at least they waited until the day after Christmas

Maybe it's a good thing the NFL expanded their regular season. It used to be that the season ended just before Christmas and losing coaches often got a bitter lump of coal in their stockings.

[Auggie]

3. One isn't enough... more heads will have to roll

Front office, assistant coaches, players... unfortunately, the York family gets to keep theirs.

I know Mike gave it everything he had. Maybe with fewer injuries this year he would have had better success.

[Upton]

5. It's too bad about Singletary..

I liked him. I really wanted to see him succeed. When he first took over, Mike brought an excitement to 49er football that hadn't been seen it quite awhile. And the 8-8 mark of last year was their best record since 2002. Of course, with improvement, comes higher expectations, and so Singletary is a victim of not meeting the expectations that he himself helped raise..

[Auggie]

6. Yeah...

Mike didn't seem to get a lot of help from the assistant coaches he hired -- likely his downfall. Play seemed really sloppy and stupid most of the times. Plus some untimely injuries, noteably to center Eric Heitmann, tackle Joe Staley and, or course, running back Frank Gore.